The Premier League season is among us and Aston Villa kick off their campaign against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. These teams have endured very contrasting summers, Arsenal have endured a very frustrating summer, missing out on many key transfer targets such as Jovetic, Higuian and Rooney; as a result, Wenger has only brought in one player, Sanogo. Aston Villa, meanwhile have brought in 6 young players.
Arsenal will hope to maintain their Champions League status, however fans had hoped for a push for the Premier League title after Wenger had allegedly been given a transfer chest of over £70 million pounds. Aston Villa, will hope to improve on last season and hope for a better Premier League finish from last season.
Team News:
Arteta is out injured for roughly 6 weeks following a thigh injury. Vermaelen and Diaby are long-term injuries and will certainly not feature. Cazorla is a doubt and his fitness will be assessed before the game. Some encouraging news for Wenger is that Ramsay is fit and available after missing Wales friendly due to injury.
Aston Villa will be without Sylla who has picked up a twisted knee following a youth game. Midfielder Chris Herd is still out with a calf injury. N’Zogbia is another long-term casualty.
Match Facts:
Villa have won just two of their last 19 trips to London to face Arsenal, but both of these have come since the Gunners moved to the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal have not lost any of their last 12 opening Premier League games (W8 D4), though they have drawn their last three.
The Emirates Stadium saw more goals than any other stadium in the Premier League last season (70).
Possibly Lineups:
Szczesny
Jenkinson-Mertesacker-Kosielny-Gibbs
Ramsay-Wilshere
Walcott-Rosicky-Cazorla
Giroud
Agbonlahor-Benteke-Weimann
Tonev
Westwood-Delph
Luna-Baker-Vlaar-Lowton
Guzan
Predictions
Arsenal 1-1 Aston Villa
I think Aston Villa can snatch a draw, I think there might be a hint of frustration from the Arsenal fans, and if things don’t go well for Arsenal quickly, it will be tough. There is more optimism around Aston Villa and I think that Lambert will get his team playing more freely. Without Sylla, I think we are a bit weaker defensively, but with Tonev in the squad, I think that Lambert will have a go at Arsenal.
Ciaran Clark! Wowl, Guzan and Luna.
This ref taking the piss booking Tony Moon FFS! Arsenal are the most over protected bunch of fucking prima donnas I’ve ever seen.
…till this decision the ref was spot on with his judgements.
Vlaars booking was a bit harsh Wiltshires reaction (or rather over reaction) got him booked.
Not too mention Sagna made that same type of tackle and got a “talking too”. Arsenal fans are actually complaining the refs favoring Villa and Villa are dangerous in injuring them. They’re idiots. The ref just likes carding Villa for nothing.
Is Benteke coming on in the second half?? 🙂
Fuckin hope so. Watching live in pub even game so far we did well to get back into it. Still can’t see us stopping arsenal scoring in the second half. Think 3.1 to them defence is as shaky and error probe as ever. No way is tony moon better than Bennett about the same. I’m not the only one in the pub saying that either. Vlaar is a fuckin liability as always part responsible for goal and got a needless yellow for diving in. Overal so far so good lets hope we can get a draw
…Benteke could give a little bit more but he is dangerous in what ever he is doing. Wins a lot in the air and supplies flick ons.
guzan needs to check his distribution, he keeps banging it straight back too em looking for the counter attack, needs to pick his passes better and know when to hold up for a minute.
aresnal are worried though bit of flapping by szcesney there, I certainly wouldn’t bet on either team scoring at least one more.
*bet against*
If that’s a penalty, that’s another red that the ref screwed up on, as per usual.
However not sure that’s a penalty at all.
Just hope we hold on now
Another non-yellow. Sad.
Harsh on Koscielny the first one, but finally the ref gives them a yellow that we’d get and no Arsenal fan would complain about.
Tony Moon what a fucking legend!
Get in there
What was he doing up there lol
Lol, that was the worst positioning ever by Luna for his goal mate, hasn’t got a clue, Lambert out
Send Podolski on now… That’s showing those Arsenal fans screaming at Wenger that he means business…
Delph man of the match. Dead right. Brilliant
Yes Villa Yes! Arsenal goal keeper complaining, shouldn’t have been on anyways but who cares!
About time big decisions went our way
We are top o the league oh we are top of league, We are top o the league oh we are top of league
Don’t even know where to start with game analysis, defence were SOLID in the second half! And Tony Moon, oh Tony Moon, hero
UTV
Ron vlaar vlaar deserves a big cigar lol
We are top of league we are top of the league.
Unfuckinbelievable what a fuckin result
Well well who’d have thought it. Bring on Liverpool.
Chelsea first on wed. Last time we win3.1 away we lost 8.0 to Chelsea lol. What a great result pinch me I’m dreaming
Draw I reckon.
Were gonna win the league
I’m wandering round London seeing some very miserable Gunners! Bloody superb result! Time for a beer or ten…
Brilliant opening day!….tesco bags and scumbags both losing at home!
Pride of the Midlands, we know what we are!